Kathakali Kathakali
From Parasuram · 2003
- Lyricist
- Pazhani Bharathi
- Singer
- Nithyasree Mahadevan
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Parasuram2003
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kathakali…. kathakali… | Kathakali... Kathakali... |
| Kathakali….hoi kathakali… | Kathakali... hey Kathakali... |
| Male | |
| Kathakali…. haa | Kathakali... haa |
| Jack and jill kittum aadikkittu | Dancing near Jack and Jill, |
| Kathakali aadikittu | Dancing Kathakali, |
| Mathalatha pola vandha | She came like a percussion drum, |
| Naena doy…. | Oh my goodness... |
| Male | |
| Iva vethalaiya pottukkittu | Chewing betel leaves, |
| Maadi mela yerikittu | Climbing up to the terrace, |
| Ambalaiya thedi vandha | Searching for a man, |
| Thaena doy… | She came like sweet honey... |
| Female | |
| Adi panganapalli | Hey Banganapalli mango-like girl, |
| Pada padakalli | Fast and restless girl, |
| Bambara kannaa theettaadhae | Don't sharpen your spinning-top eyes! |
| Oru sakkara valli | A sweet potato, |
| Oru sada velli | A silver chain, |
| Kulu kulu iduppai aattaadhae | Don't sway your cool waist! |
| Female | |
| En kannakuzhiyil konjam | Filling my dimple with a little |
| Mutham nirappiMale :Aaha | Kiss... Male: Aaha |
| Female :Oru chinna pillaiyaai | Female: Like a little child, |
| Avanai neechal poda vaippen | I will make him swim. |
| Nuni viralaal avanai sundi izhuthu | Tugging him with my fingertip, |
| En noolin idaiyil | Within my thread, |
| Sutri katti pottu vaippenae | I will bind him tightly. |
| Male | |
| Kathakali…. kathakali… | Kathakali... Kathakali... |
| Kathakali….aa haa eehae kathakali… | Kathakali... aa haa eehae Kathakali... |
| Male | |
| Hey eli vaala illa puli vaala | Hey, is it a rat's tail or a tiger's tail? |
| Nee pompalai koottathu adiyaala..aa | Are you a henchman in a crowd of women? |
| Female :Hey vidamaatten | Female: Hey, I won't let go, |
| Hey vidamaatten hmm hmm | Hey, I won't let go, hmm hmm, |
| Vidamaatten vidamaatten | I won't let go, won't let go, |
| Tha tatata tatatatata | Tha tatata tatatatata |
| Tharamaatten tharamaaten | I won't give, won't give, |
| Naan tharamaatten selladi kalli | I won't give, you sweet little thief, |
| Female | |
| Vasaiyena solli vaithu | Scolding affectionately, |
| Paadangal sollven | I will teach lessons. |
| Azhagiya iravugal | On beautiful nights, |
| Kadhaigalai sollven | I will tell stories. |
| Male | |
| Kadavulae kaappaathu | Oh God, save me! |
| Kadavulae kadavulae…. | God, Oh God... |
| Kadavulae hoi | God, hey! |
| Male | |
| Kathakali…. kathakali… | Kathakali... Kathakali... |
| Kathakali….kathakali… | Kathakali... Kathakali... |
| Male | |
| Kathakali…. haa | Kathakali... haa |
| Jack and jill kittum aadikkittu | Dancing near Jack and Jill, |
| Kathakali aadikittu | Dancing Kathakali, |
| Mathalatha pola vandha | She came like a percussion drum, |
| Naena doy…. | Oh my goodness... |
| Chorus | |
| Thaiyum thaiyum | Thaiyum thaiyum |
| Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha | Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha |
| Thaiyum thaiyum | Thaiyum thaiyum |
| Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha | Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha |
| Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha | Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha |
| Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha | Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha |
| Male | |
| {Naadagamaadaadhae | {Don't act drama, |
| Nee kuchipudi aadaadhae} (2) | Don't dance Kuchipudi} (2) |
| Naadagam kuchipudi | Drama, Kuchipudi, |
| Aadaadhae aadaadhae | Don't dance, don't dance! |
| Male | |
| Kathakali…. kathakali… | Kathakali... Kathakali... |
| Kathakali….kathakali… | Kathakali... Kathakali... |
| Male | |
| Samiyara illai mamiyaara | Are you a monk or a mother-in-law? |
| Saroshki dhar bul bulthara | Playing tunes on a stringed instrument... |
| Female :Hmm mm mmm mmm | Female: Mmm mm mmm mmm |
| Ravi varma oh ravi varma… | Ravi Varma, oh Ravi Varma... |
| Hmm mm mmm mmm | Hmm mm mmm mmm |
| Ravi varma oviyam naanae | I am a painting by Ravi Varma! |
| Female | |
| Ka kaka kagagaga | Ka kaka kagagaga |
| Ka kaka kagagaga | Ka kaka kagagaga |
| Kajurahoo kajurahoo | Khajuraho, Khajuraho, |
| Kajurahoo sirpam naanae | I am a sculpture of Khajuraho! |
| Female | |
| Koondukkullae kiliyaakki | Turning him into a caged parrot, |
| Pazham thandhu paarppen | I will feed him fruit and watch. |
| Kattil meedhu chinnanchiru | On the bed, like a tiny |
| Bommai aakki paarppen | Toy, I will make him and watch. |
| Male :Kaavi katti poren naan | Male: I will wear saffron robes and leave, |
| Sadugudu sadugudu vidu vidu | Playing Kabaddi, kabaddi, leave me, leave me! |
| Vidu vidu | Leave me, leave me! |
| Male | |
| Kathakali…. haa | Kathakali... haa |
| Jack and jill kittum aadikkittu | Dancing near Jack and Jill, |
| Kathakali aadikittu | Dancing Kathakali, |
| Mathalatha pola vandha | She came like a percussion drum, |
| Naena doy…. | Oh my goodness... |
| Male | |
| Iva vethalaiya pottukkittu | Chewing betel leaves, |
| Maadi mela yerikittu | Climbing up to the terrace, |
| Ambalaiya thedi vandha | Searching for a man, |
| Thaena doy… | She came like sweet honey... |
| Male | |
| Kathakali…. kathakali… | Kathakali... Kathakali... |
| Kathakali…aa kathakali…haa | Kathakali... aa Kathakali... haa |
மாதன்கி மற்றும் சுர்ஜோ பட்டாச்சார்யா
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali... hey Kathakali...
கதகளி...கதகளி....
கதகளி...ஹோய் கதகளி...
Kathakali... haa
Dancing near Jack and Jill,
Dancing Kathakali,
She came like a percussion drum,
Oh my goodness...
கதகளி...ஹா
ஜாக் அண்ட் ஜில் கிட்டும் ஆடிகிட்டு
கதகளி ஆடிகிட்டு
மத்தளத்த போல வந்த
நேனா டோய்.....
Chewing betel leaves,
Climbing up to the terrace,
Searching for a man,
She came like sweet honey...
இவ வெத்தலைய போட்டுக்கிட்டு
மாடி மேல ஏறிகிட்டு
ஆம்பளைய தேடி வந்த
நேனா டோய்...
Hey Banganapalli mango-like girl,
Fast and restless girl,
Don't sharpen your spinning-top eyes!
A sweet potato,
A silver chain,
Don't sway your cool waist!
அடி பங்கனபள்ளி
பட படகள்ளி
பம்பர கண்ணே திட்டாதே
ஒரு சக்கர வள்ளி
ஒரு சட வெள்ளி
குழு குழு இடுப்பை ஆட்டதே
Filling my dimple with a little
Kiss... Male: Aaha
Female: Like a little child,
I will make him swim.
Tugging him with my fingertip,
Within my thread,
I will bind him tightly.
என் கன்னக்குழியில் கொஞ்சம்
முத்தம் நிரப்பி ஆண் :
ஆஹா
ஒரு சின்ன பிள்ளையாய்
அவனை நீச்சல் போட வைப்பேன்
நுனி விரலால் அவனை சுண்டி இழுத்து
என் நூலின் இடையில்
சுற்றி கட்டி போட்டு வைப்பேனே
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali... aa haa eehae Kathakali...
கதகளி...கதகளி....
கதகளி...ஆ ஹோய் ஏ கதகளி...
Hey, is it a rat's tail or a tiger's tail?
Are you a henchman in a crowd of women?
Female: Hey, I won't let go,
Hey, I won't let go, hmm hmm,
I won't let go, won't let go,
Tha tatata tatatatata
I won't give, won't give,
I won't give, you sweet little thief,
ஹே எலி வாலா இல்லை புலி வாலா
நீ பொம்பளை கூட்டத்து அடியாளா...ஆ
ஹே விடமாட்டேன்
ஹே விடமாட்டேன் ஹ்ம்ம் ஹ்ம்ம்
விடமாட்டேன் விடமாட்டேன்
த டட்ட டடடடட
தரமாட்டேன் தரமாட்டேன்
நான் தரமாட்டேன் செல்லடி கள்ளி
Scolding affectionately,
I will teach lessons.
On beautiful nights,
I will tell stories.
வசையென சொல்லி வைத்து
பாடங்கள் சொல்லுவேன்
அழகிய இரவுகள்
கதைகள் சொல்லுவேன்
Oh God, save me!
God, Oh God...
God, hey!
கடவுளே காப்பாத்து
கடவுளே கடவுளே....
கடவுளே ஹோய்
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali... Kathakali...
கதகளி...கதகளி....
கதகளி...கதகளி...
Kathakali... haa
Dancing near Jack and Jill,
Dancing Kathakali,
She came like a percussion drum,
Oh my goodness...
கதகளி...ஹா
ஜாக் அண்ட் ஜில் கிட்டும் ஆடிகிட்டு
கதகளி ஆடிகிட்டு
மத்தளத்த போல வந்த
நேனா டோய்.....
Thaiyum thaiyum
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha
தையும் தையும்
தையும் தையும் தா தா
தையும் தையும்
தையும் தையும் தா தா
தையும் தையும் தா தா தா
தையும் தையும் தா தா தா
{Don't act drama,
Don't dance Kuchipudi} (2)
Drama, Kuchipudi,
Don't dance, don't dance!
{நாடகமாடாதே
நீ குச்சிபுடி ஆடாதே} (2)
நாடகம் குச்சிபுடி
ஆடாதே ஆடாதே
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali... Kathakali...
கதகளி...கதகளி....
கதகளி...கதகளி...
Are you a monk or a mother-in-law?
Playing tunes on a stringed instrument...
Female: Mmm mm mmm mmm
Ravi Varma, oh Ravi Varma...
Hmm mm mmm mmm
I am a painting by Ravi Varma!
சாமியாரா இல்லை மாமியாரா
சரோஷ்கி தர் புல் புல்தரா
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ரவி வர்மா ஓ ரவி வர்மா...
ஹ்ம்ம் ம்ம் ம்ம்ம் ம்ம்ம்
ரவி வர்மா ஓவியம் நானே
Ka kaka kagagaga
Ka kaka kagagaga
Khajuraho, Khajuraho,
I am a sculpture of Khajuraho!
க கக கககக
க கக கககக
கஜுராஹோ கஜுராஹோ
கஜுராஹோ சிற்பம் நானே
Turning him into a caged parrot,
I will feed him fruit and watch.
On the bed, like a tiny
Toy, I will make him and watch.
Male: I will wear saffron robes and leave,
Playing Kabaddi, kabaddi, leave me, leave me!
Leave me, leave me!
கூண்டுக்குள்ளே கிளியாக்கி
பழம் தந்து பார்ப்பேன்
கட்டில் மீது சின்னஞ்சிறு
பொம்மை ஆக்கி பார்ப்பேன்
காவி கட்டி போறன் நான்
சடுகுடு சடுகுடு விடு விடு
விடு விடு
Kathakali... haa
Dancing near Jack and Jill,
Dancing Kathakali,
She came like a percussion drum,
Oh my goodness...
கதகளி...ஹா
ஜாக் அண்ட் ஜில் கிட்டும் ஆடிகிட்டு
கதகளி ஆடிகிட்டு
மத்தளத்த போல வந்த
நேனா டோய்.....
Chewing betel leaves,
Climbing up to the terrace,
Searching for a man,
She came like sweet honey...
இவ வெத்தலைய போட்டுக்கிட்டு
மாடி மேல ஏறிகிட்டு
ஆம்பளைய தேடி வந்தா
நேனா டோய்...
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali... aa Kathakali... haa
கதகளி...கதகளி....
கதகளி... ஆ கதகளி...ஹா
Kathakali…. kathakali…
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali….hoi kathakali…
Kathakali... hey Kathakali...
Kathakali…. haa
Kathakali... haa
Jack and jill kittum aadikkittu
Dancing near Jack and Jill,
Kathakali aadikittu
Dancing Kathakali,
Mathalatha pola vandha
She came like a percussion drum,
Naena doy….
Oh my goodness...
Iva vethalaiya pottukkittu
Chewing betel leaves,
Maadi mela yerikittu
Climbing up to the terrace,
Ambalaiya thedi vandha
Searching for a man,
Thaena doy…
She came like sweet honey...
Adi panganapalli
Hey Banganapalli mango-like girl,
Pada padakalli
Fast and restless girl,
Bambara kannaa theettaadhae
Don't sharpen your spinning-top eyes!
Oru sakkara valli
A sweet potato,
Oru sada velli
A silver chain,
Kulu kulu iduppai aattaadhae
Don't sway your cool waist!
En kannakuzhiyil konjam
Filling my dimple with a little
Mutham nirappiMale :Aaha
Kiss... Male: Aaha
Female :Oru chinna pillaiyaai
Female: Like a little child,
Avanai neechal poda vaippen
I will make him swim.
Nuni viralaal avanai sundi izhuthu
Tugging him with my fingertip,
En noolin idaiyil
Within my thread,
Sutri katti pottu vaippenae
I will bind him tightly.
Kathakali…. kathakali…
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali….aa haa eehae kathakali…
Kathakali... aa haa eehae Kathakali...
Hey eli vaala illa puli vaala
Hey, is it a rat's tail or a tiger's tail?
Nee pompalai koottathu adiyaala..aa
Are you a henchman in a crowd of women?
Female :Hey vidamaatten
Female: Hey, I won't let go,
Hey vidamaatten hmm hmm
Hey, I won't let go, hmm hmm,
Vidamaatten vidamaatten
I won't let go, won't let go,
Tha tatata tatatatata
Tha tatata tatatatata
Tharamaatten tharamaaten
I won't give, won't give,
Naan tharamaatten selladi kalli
I won't give, you sweet little thief,
Vasaiyena solli vaithu
Scolding affectionately,
Paadangal sollven
I will teach lessons.
Azhagiya iravugal
On beautiful nights,
Kadhaigalai sollven
I will tell stories.
Kadavulae kaappaathu
Oh God, save me!
Kadavulae kadavulae….
God, Oh God...
Kadavulae hoi
God, hey!
Kathakali…. kathakali…
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali….kathakali…
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali…. haa
Kathakali... haa
Jack and jill kittum aadikkittu
Dancing near Jack and Jill,
Kathakali aadikittu
Dancing Kathakali,
Mathalatha pola vandha
She came like a percussion drum,
Naena doy….
Oh my goodness...
Thaiyum thaiyum
Thaiyum thaiyum
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum
Thaiyum thaiyum
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha
Thaiyum thaiyum tha tha tha
{Naadagamaadaadhae
{Don't act drama,
Nee kuchipudi aadaadhae} (2)
Don't dance Kuchipudi} (2)
Naadagam kuchipudi
Drama, Kuchipudi,
Aadaadhae aadaadhae
Don't dance, don't dance!
Kathakali…. kathakali…
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali….kathakali…
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Samiyara illai mamiyaara
Are you a monk or a mother-in-law?
Saroshki dhar bul bulthara
Playing tunes on a stringed instrument...
Female :Hmm mm mmm mmm
Female: Mmm mm mmm mmm
Ravi varma oh ravi varma…
Ravi Varma, oh Ravi Varma...
Hmm mm mmm mmm
Hmm mm mmm mmm
Ravi varma oviyam naanae
I am a painting by Ravi Varma!
Ka kaka kagagaga
Ka kaka kagagaga
Ka kaka kagagaga
Ka kaka kagagaga
Kajurahoo kajurahoo
Khajuraho, Khajuraho,
Kajurahoo sirpam naanae
I am a sculpture of Khajuraho!
Koondukkullae kiliyaakki
Turning him into a caged parrot,
Pazham thandhu paarppen
I will feed him fruit and watch.
Kattil meedhu chinnanchiru
On the bed, like a tiny
Bommai aakki paarppen
Toy, I will make him and watch.
Male :Kaavi katti poren naan
Male: I will wear saffron robes and leave,
Sadugudu sadugudu vidu vidu
Playing Kabaddi, kabaddi, leave me, leave me!
Vidu vidu
Leave me, leave me!
Kathakali…. haa
Kathakali... haa
Jack and jill kittum aadikkittu
Dancing near Jack and Jill,
Kathakali aadikittu
Dancing Kathakali,
Mathalatha pola vandha
She came like a percussion drum,
Naena doy….
Oh my goodness...
Iva vethalaiya pottukkittu
Chewing betel leaves,
Maadi mela yerikittu
Climbing up to the terrace,
Ambalaiya thedi vandha
Searching for a man,
Thaena doy…
She came like sweet honey...
Kathakali…. kathakali…
Kathakali... Kathakali...
Kathakali…aa kathakali…haa
Kathakali... aa Kathakali... haa
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Kathakali' from the movie Parasuram (2003) is a lively and whimsical duet characterized by romantic banter and energetic teasing between the lead couple. The lyrics compare the female lead's beauty and playful dominance to classical art forms, artist Raja Ravi Varma's paintings, and Khajuraho sculptures. She expresses her intention to completely captivate her lover and tame him like a playful child or a pet parrot. In response, the male hero playfully laments her overwhelming influence, jokingly crying out to God for rescue and threatening to renounce worldly life as an ascetic (wearing saffron robes) to escape her spell. The overall track is a high-energy dance number filled with humor, vivid sensory imagery, and rhythmic dance syllable vocals.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Mathalatha pola vandha”
Compares the woman's energetic arrival and rhythm to the sound and presence of a drum (Mathalam).
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Ravi varma oviyam naanae”
The speaker directly compares herself to a painting crafted by the legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kajurahoo sirpam naanae”
The speaker compares her physical grace and form directly to the famous sculptures of Khajuraho.
Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Adi panganapalli / Pada padakalli”
Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'ng' in 'Panganapalli' and 'd' in 'Pada' creates internal rhythm.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song was composed by A.R. Rahman for the 2003 action film 'Parasuram', starring Arjun Sarja and Kiran Rathod. Written by lyricist Pazhani Bharathi, the track creatively blends classical dance rhythms like Kathakali and Kuchipudi with contemporary dance beats.
Keep listening
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